Anxiety

Anxiety-related disorders may cause your fear or worry to not go away and can get worse over time

Anxiety is a general term for several disorders that cause nervousness, fear, apprehension, and worrying. Anxiety disorders can affect how we feel and behave, and sometimes cause physical symptoms. Fear, stress and anxiety are normal feelings to experience, but are different than suffering from a diagnosable anxiety disorder.

Common Symptoms of Anxiety

A chronic, high level of anxiety may be a sign of an anxiety disorder.

Generalized anxiety disorder involves persistent and excessive anxiety for at least six months.

Having a specific phobia means becoming anxious when exposed to a specific circumstance.

Social phobia is characterized by anxiety in social or performance situations.

Adjustment Disorder with Anxious Features – diagnosed when a person develops anxiety symptoms in relation to a major life-changing event – like getting married or moving to another city. Symptoms generally start within three months of the stressful event.

Substance-Induced Anxiety Disorder – generally resolves when the substance is discontinued or when withdrawal from the substance is over.

Long-Term Anxiety Disorders

Other types of anxiety disorders develop and remain long-term. Many start in childhood and last long into adulthood, particularly if treatment has not been sought.

Agoraphobia – a fear of being in a public place where escape would be embarrassing or difficult.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – anxiety symptoms occur in multiple environments and due to multiple objects or situations. Anxiety symptoms may not have a known cause.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – anxiety symptoms are in the form of intrusive, obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors (or mental acts).

Panic Disorder – consists of severe, immediate anxiety symptoms (a panic attack) due to a variety of causes, as well as the worry over having another panic attack.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – anxiety symptoms that occur after a trauma and are long-term in nature.

Social Anxiety Disorder – anxiety symptoms occur in social or performance situations and stem from the fear of being humiliated or embarrassed.